Kazakhstan is not only endless steppes, yurts and herds of horses. This is a kind of world that you can plunge into during your vacation. This country is located in the heart of the Eurasian continent, south of the Ural Mountains. The local culture is very similar to Russian, but has its own unique shades. Here old oriental traditions and new trends intertwine. Free steppes, huge forests, rivers and lakes - all this is in Kazakhstan. Today, travel agencies offer itineraries of interest, including eco-tours, hunting, fishing, medical treatment and mountaineering.
Where to go
The size of the country's territory, of course, is inferior to Russia, however, it is 3 million square kilometers, so the direction must be determined in advance. Priority East Kazakhstan. Rest here is an opportunity to get acquainted with the beautiful, although other regions are not deprived of beautiful places. To make it easier to choose, decide what you expect from your vacation. Interested in sightseeing tours - welcome to the world of ancient temples and mosques. Is energy surging? Then especially for you there are hiking tours in picturesque places, conquering mountain peaks, rafting and much more. Especially a lot of options for lovers of a relaxing pastimeon the beach. Kazakhstan is rich in beautiful reservoirs. Rest on the coast of many of them can be combined with treatment, and all thanks to the presence of unique mineral and mud springs.
Northern Kazakhstan
This part of the country was chosen by the President for the construction of the luxurious capital of Astana. Lovers of modern architecture will enjoy walking around the beautiful young city. But not only this is famous for Northern Kazakhstan. Rest here you will remember for a lifetime…
The main rivers are the Irtysh and its tributaries, Yesil and Tobol. The climate is sharply continental, summer temperatures are more moderate than in other regions, and winters are much colder. The region is rich in coniferous forests, the mountains of Kokshetau stand as an indestructible wall, lakes and rivers beckon with their blueness, and the natural resources of the Kurgaldzhinsky Reserve make it possible to join the bosom of virgin nature. What is worth only rest in Borovoe! Kazakhstan truly knows how to surprise.
Pavlodar region
Here is the national natural park "Bayanaul". It is a kind of oasis located in the center of the steppe: a number of picturesque lakes are surrounded by interesting, "pancake" rocks. Low, decorated with small groves of Karelian pine, which does not grow anywhere else in the country, they are the best suited for leisurely family walks. There are several tourist centers along the shores of the lakes, and there are campsites.
North Kazakhstan region
To admire the beauty of pristine nature,many tourists come to Kazakhstan. Rest in Borovoe is considered an alternative to visiting Switzerland, and its cost is quite low. The resort area is located between the cities of Astana and Kokshetau. Just like Bayanaul, this luxurious area, replete with lakes, is located in the middle of the feather grass steppe. This is another gift of nature to the Kazakh people. If you have not been here yet, be sure to stop (for example, on the way to Astana) to rest in Borovoe. Kazakhstan is a hospitable country. With a modest amount, you can have a great time. So, the cost of living in the resort area will cost 2000 tenge (400 rubles), and with tents - completely free.
The resort of Borovoye is famous for its reservoirs, it is not for nothing that they bear the poetic name - the Blue Lakes of Kazakhstan. Recreation (the prices of which range from 400 to 1000 rubles per day) beckons with a heavenly shade of the purest waters and therapeutic mud that saves from dozens of diseases. Having been here once, it is impossible to forget this fabulous journey to the land of majestic mountains and sparkling waters.
By the way, there are also lesser-known lakes of the same name. In order to see them, you need to go to East Kazakhstan. Blue Lakes (recreation, the cost of which is ridiculously low, will not hit your pocket, especially if you travel without a guide) are located in the Altai Mountains, in the Chemal region.
Western Kazakhstan
This is a vast area with an arid, sharply continental climate. It was here that the Great Silk Road used to pass, today it is one ofthe most interesting tourist routes. Wonderful landscapes, a variety of flora and fauna of the Ustyurt Reserve is of great interest to tourists. And the Caspian coast gives you the opportunity to plunge into the gentle waves of the warm sea.
Majestic Caspian Sea
This is a unique pool, which is closed, which is inherent in lakes, but at the same time s alty, for which it is called the sea. The gray crests of the waves create an interesting marine landscape and make it unlike any existing body of water.
The natural system makes it very attractive to rest on the Caspian Sea. Mineral waters, sandy beaches and therapeutic mud are at your disposal. But not too developed infrastructure reduces the attendance of this resort area. Although the Kazakh coast has great potential for development, unlike Iran and Turkmenistan, where lockdown policies and Sharia law do not attract foreign visitors.
Today it is already possible to travel to the Caspian Sea with pleasure. Recreation (Kazakhstan in this case is in no way inferior, for example, to the Krasnoyarsk Territory with its famous resorts) with he alth benefits is offered by the Shagala sanatorium. This is a wonderful balneological clinic. Not far from the city of Aktau there is a modern sports and recreation complex, which is equipped in accordance with international standards. It is gaining popularity among active young people. Finally, the recreation center "Kenderlik" is waiting for you. It's a whole complexsmall, cozy cottages, which are located on a shallow, sandy shore.
Another majestic s alt lake is located 140 km from the city of Uralsk. At first glance, this is also a huge sea without shores. The water is s alty and very warm, there is plenty of fish in it, but there is practically no infrastructure, as well as vacationers. And why, if there is an opportunity to swim and sunbathe for your pleasure? We are talking about Lake Chelkar (Kazakhstan). Rest here is very cheap, more precisely, it is equal to the cost of gasoline spent and food taken with you. Minus one, but significant - the road to the lake is very broken.
Famous Places
Western Kazakhstan, or rather the Mangistau region, is the birthplace of the Silk Road. And you can walk along it, look at the preserved caravanserais. The guide will show you the legendary mountain Sherkala, which resembles a lion. Nearby is a necropolis, the remains of the fortress of the son of Chinchiskhan. If you are attracted by cultural heritage, then it is worth visiting the underground mosques carved from the rock, as well as the Eset Batyr memorial complex, famous for its beauty.
Don't be too lazy to take another little excursion. Not far from Aktau, 30 km from Fort Shevchenko, there is a wonderful valley "Tamshaly" - this is how its name sounds in the local language, in free translation it means "spring drops". This is truly a heavenly place! A huge valley overgrown with weeping willows, poplars and bushy clearings. It is surrounded by a ring of mountains, and in the center there is a picturesque lake. The guide will tell the legendabout weeping stones, which listens especially well to the sounds of a drop. These are underground springs jutting out from under the fold of the mountain and drumming drops on the stones.
Usyursky National Nature Reserve is a real dream of a person who is fond of the flora of the region and archeology. This is a huge territory of 70 thousand hectares, where the rarest animals live - mouflons, cheetahs, goitered gazelles and many others. Here you can see the ancient city of Shahr-i-Wazir, the Beliuli caravanserai and the Allan fortress, many ancient cemeteries with majestic mazar mausoleums and even more ancient Neolithic sites.
South Kazakhstan: holidays for every taste
This is the territory from the Aral Sea in the west to the Dzungarian Gate in the east. From Lake Balkhash in the north to the southern border of the country, including part of the Kyzylkum desert. It's amazing how varied the terrain is. By allocating just one day for a special tour, you can visit various natural areas, ranging from deserts to high-mountain glaciers. Do you want to see the unique Charyn Canyon? Come to Almaty.
Here you can enjoy a beach holiday on the shores of the majestic lakes Alakol, Balkhash, Sasykkol, Aral. Kolsai lakes are considered the pearls of the Northern Tien Shan. The harmonious combination of mountain slopes covered with pine trees and crystal clear lakes delights and fascinates. To see the entire Kolsai slope, you will need one day of horseback riding. Hiking or cycling tour takes 3 days.
Notablenational reserves. The oldest one is "Aksu-Dzhabagly". This is a real treasure trove of rare and endangered species of animals and plants. Snow leopards and mountain goats, bears and porcupines, martens and ermines live in the neighborhood … The very air of this high-mountainous place is filled with life and he alth. Rare butterflies are circling over the flowers, and birds make wonderful trills in the branches. There is a singing dune here, which makes sounds similar to the melody of an organ. It is curious that he does not wander around the area, staying in the same place.
The second largest is the reserve "Altyn-Emel". A safari on its territory (460,000 hectares) will give you the opportunity to meet a huge number of representatives of the local fauna listed in the Red Book: wild asses, gazelles, argali, birds, insects.
East Kazakhstan
This is an amazing region, most of which is occupied by the mountain systems of Rudny and Southern Altai. Three large rivers flow here and a huge number of lakes are located. The most interesting to visit is Mount Belukha - the realm of snow, thundering avalanches and sparkling waterfalls. Its height is 4500 meters.
An amazing corner of nature - the Markakol nature reserve - is located in these parts. The central place is occupied by fresh and soft lake Markakol. Picturesque rocky ledges are covered with forests, subalpine meadows are full of rare plants, and the fauna of the reserve is also rich.
Bukhtarma reservoir is the largest artificial reservoir. The places here are truly beautiful, and the endless emerald expanse attracts tourists to spend ashoreat least for a while. And abroad, Kazakhstan is known for its reservoirs. The recreation center "Blue Bay", as well as "Aina", "Ayuda" and others located on the reservoir, is visited every year by guests from neighboring countries.
Sanatoriums of Kazakhstan
The most famous are "Zhosaly" in the Karaganda region, "Rakhmanovskie Klyuchi" - in East Kazakhstan, "Green Forest" - in Borovoye, the "Emerald" preventive complex - not far from Ust-Kamenogorsk. In addition, you can visit the sanatoriums "Alatau", "Saryagash", "Merke", "Moyyldy" and many others. In each of them you will find friendly, qualified staff, a wide range of preventive and therapeutic procedures and excellent living conditions.
Summary of conclusions
As you can see, the country is very rich in attractions. The article reveals only a small part of the unique beauties of Kazakhstan. Even the indigenous people of the country often do not know what riches their land holds. The most popular holiday in Kazakhstan in the summer of 2014 is a car trip along a pre-planned route. Study the map of the area you are interested in, designate where you will go on excursions, and forward to new horizons.
